Josef Newgarden is thoroughly satisfied with his role as a consistent contender in the IndyCar Series, yet he harbors specific ambitions within NASCAR, even if they seem unlikely to come true. The 35-year-old, a two-time IndyCar champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, will be driving the pace car during the Bristol Night Race in his hometown of Tennessee this Saturday. His NASCAR teammate Austin Cindric believes that guiding the pace car on the fast, banked half-mile track will only fuel Newgarden’s desire to race at a higher speed someday.
Newgarden admits that this interest dates back to his teenage years when he attended races and even had early experience driving at the track. “If I ever got the chance to drive a Cup car, it would definitely be at Bristol,” he said before the event, adding that he favors short tracks between a half-mile and a mile long. He also mentioned Richmond as a track he’d love to race on and suggested it would be a great venue for IndyCar as well, but Bristol tops his list for a Cup Series debut.
Despite knowing from friends in the garage that Bristol is one of the toughest tracks for a NASCAR Cup rookie, Newgarden is determined to pursue this dream. He acknowledges the unique skills required and the intense, frantic racing style that makes Bristol a challenging place to master.
This isn’t the first time a Team Penske driver has wished to try a NASCAR race. When Will Power won the Indianapolis 500, he hoped that success might persuade Roger Penske to let him compete in NASCAR, but that didn’t materialize. Helio Castroneves also tried for years without success until he left Penske to join another team. Sam Hornish eventually made the switch after achieving success in the IRL and winning the Indy 500.
Newgarden is realistic about the chances of making such a move while under Penske’s umbrella. “I have a job and responsibilities here,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to IndyCar and how much the sport has evolved. With the increasing specialization in racing disciplines, diverting focus from IndyCar isn’t justifiable for Penske or Newgarden.
He understands that his role is to lead and perform for his IndyCar team, and taking time away to venture into other series would be difficult. Still, he believes such crossover could benefit motorsports overall. Drivers like Kyle Larson have recently crossed disciplines, showing it’s possible to do both.
Ultimately, Newgarden is committed to Team Penske and the IndyCar Series, appreciating the privilege of holding one of motorsport’s most esteemed seats. He has never seriously considered leaving IndyCar to pursue NASCAR or Formula 1 full-time, but he admits that racing a NASCAR Cup event remains a dream. “Maybe someday in the future, when things shift or I slow down, I’ll have the chance,” he said, “but it’s not something I see happening anytime soon.”
Fan Take: This news is exciting for NASCAR fans because it hints at the potential for more crossover from top IndyCar stars, which could bring fresh competition and new storylines to the sport. Josef Newgarden’s interest shows that NASCAR’s appeal reaches beyond its traditional talent pool, possibly encouraging more high-profile drivers to explore stock car racing down the line.
Source: www.motorsport.com
